Conveyor structure with pivoted buckets



Feb. 3, 1948. H, w, HAPMAN coNVEYoR STRUCTURE WITH PIVOTED BUoKETs Filed June ."3`

, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 MW w #AFM/w Feb. 3, 1948. H. w. l-LwA/arqr CONVEYOR STRUCTURE WIT-I PIVOTED BUCKETS Filed June 5, 1943 6 Sheets-Swheet 2 HENRY w. HPm/w @zz/11%.! f

(Ittomegs Feb. 3, 1948. H. w. HAPMAN l CONVEYOR STRUCTURE WITH PIVOTED BUCKETS Filed June 3v, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 v J .Q :as HENRY w HAP/*MN A mentor Gttomegs Feb..3, 1948. H. w. HAPMAN 2,435,498

` CONVEYOR STRUCTURE WITH PTVOTED BUCKETS Filed Jun 3, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ...l mi...

v Feb. 3, 1948., H. w. HARMAN GONVEYOR STRUCTURE WITH PIVOTED BUCKETS Filed June 3, 1945 6 Sheets-Shea?I 5 (Ittorneg Feb. 73, 1948. H, w, HAPMAN l 2,435,498 v CONVEYOR STRUCTURE WITH PIVOTED BUCKETS Filed June 3, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 i nventor @www Patented Feb. 3, 1948 CONVEYOR STRUCTURE WITH PIVOTED BUCKETS Henry W. Hapman,

:Henman Conveyors,

9Claims. 1

The present invention relates `to improvements in conveyor structures and, more particularly, to conveyor structures of the .bucket type.

The primary object .of lthe invention is to .provide a bucket type conveyor Which is .comparatively simple in operation and which is economical to manufacture and install and which comprises comparatively few parts to become disorganized and displaced.

Another objectrof the invention -is to `provide la conveyor structure having novel and unique means for tripping the Ybuckets as lthey pass a dumping station and to provide'novel means -for loading the buckets yat a filling station or hopper.

Another object of the invention is 1to provide a conveyor structure of the above-mentioned character with means for "tripping the `buckets during their circuitous travel about the various conveyor runs whereby the buckets may be tripped between the filling and -loading stations by simply interchanging various parts inthe conveyor structure.

Another object of `the vinvention is to provide a conveyor structure having pivoted conveyor buckets which are carried aboutthe various run- Ways in a horizontal position and which aretilted at the filling and loading stations to facilitate the loading and dumping of said buckets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor structure of the above-mentioned type with a conveyor `bucket which Amay be easily formed and constructed at a comparatively small production cost so that the entire conveyor may be economically constructed and will render enicient service and operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor bucket of the pivoted type with `means on the end Walls fortripping, guiding and dumping the buckets'as they traverse the various filling, loading and dumping stations, thereby enabling the conveyor buckets to be used in various types of conveyor structures without requiring numerous changes andalterations.

Another object of the invention is Atorprovide a conveyor bucket ofthe pivoted type which may be formed from -separably connected elements or may be formed in a single piece asby means of stamping, forming or pressing ras-vvell as molding.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor structure having a plurality of -conveyor buckets, the -meeting edges of which are adapted to be arranged and shaped to yprevent the passage of materialtherebetween while being Vloaded at a filling stationand-.which-.may-be easily tilted withrespect'to oneanother whenbeing Detroit, -Mich., assigner to Inc., Detroit, Mich., ,a corporation of Michigan Application June 3, 1943, lSerial No. 489,427

dumped at a receiving hopper or Aunloading station.

Another object of the `invention is to'provide a conveyor structure in which guide ribs are formed on the side Walls of the buckets to facilitate the guiding of the buckets during the loading thereof to insure the buckets remaining in a horizontal position While being lled.

`side walls of the buckets.

Another objectof the invention is to provide a conveyor bucket which maybe molded in various shapes to suit the conditions under .which the conveyor buckets are used and .to provide the edges of said buckets with a highly finished sur.- face so that the space therebetween will be comparatively small and prevent the Ypassage of material therethrough kduring kthe loading .operation.

Another object of the inventionis Ato-provide a conveyor structure in whichlthe conveyorbuckets are tilted or dumped by suitable guide .members cooperating vWith guideways at .each end of said buckets .as they pass the unloading station or hopper so that the material ybeing conveyed will be dumped and spread over a relatively'large area of the hopper.

Other objects and advantages of the-invention Will become Vapparent during the course Vof .the

Vfollowing description of the accompanying draw- -of conveyor buckets illustrating the manner Vin which the same are providedvwith tripping means cooperating with rollers vand guide members .at

the sides of theconveyor;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional lvievv taken on line3-3of Figure 2'1ookving in the direction of the .arrows illustratingthe manner in which the pivoted conveyor buckets are tripped;

Figure 4 is side elevational View of a portion of the conveyor trackWay shown in Figure .1 showing the manner in which vthe buckets may be means employed during conveyor travel on horizontal guideways;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an end portion of one of the conveyor supporting rods showingV the manner in which the same is squared for receiving one of the outer links of the chain cQn- Y veyor;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective'view of one of the outer links of said chains illustrating the manner in which the same is apertured; Y

Figure 9 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Figure 6 looking in the direction ofthe arrows'illustrating the Vvarious structural details of the conveyor bucket;

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of one of the pivoted conveyor buckets showing the manner in which the same are held in a horizontal posie tion during loading operations;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view further illustrating the manner in which the pivoted conveyor buckets are maintained ina horizontal position by means of the guide flanges at each end of the buckets during their travel beneath a loading station;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary top elevational view Y illustrating one of the buckets and the manner in which it passes beneath the loading station;

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of a conveyor structure employing conveyor buckets of a slightly dierent shape and illustrating the manner in which the buckets are loaded and maintained horizontal as well as being dumped by the guide and tripping flanges on the ends thereof;V

Figure 14 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line YIrl--lll of Figure'13 further illustrating the arrangement of the conveyor buckets and the parts incident thereto; Y

Figure l5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line l5-l5 of Figure 13 looking in the direction of the arrows further illustratingthe manner in which the horizontal side Vflanges come into play with rollers or guide means during their travel beneath a loading station; Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational viewV illustrating the manner in which the buckets are dumped as they traverse a guide sprocket by means of the tripping ilanges on the side walls of the bucket; Y e Figure 1'7r is aside elevational view of Vanother ing;

to provide closely spaced matingedges whereby the escape of material during loading between the conveyor buckets will be prevented;

Figure 20 is a side elevational view ci a further modified form of conveyor bucket which is shaped slightly different than the form of bucket shown in Figure 17;' Y Y j Figure 21 is a side 'elevational view oi acstill further modified conveyor bucket which is similar to the form shown in Figures 1 to 13 inciu- Y sive but is formed from a'single casting or mold- Figure 22 is a side elevational view ci" one of the buckets illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 showing aVV portion broken away to illustrate thernann ner in which the interchangeable tripping armsV arereceived in the end Walls of the buckets;

Figure r23 is a vertical cross sectional View of a conveyor bucket taken on line 23-23 of Figure 22 looking in the direction ofthe arrowsillustrating rthe tapered side Walls of the conveyor buckets and the mannerin which theV edges are finished to provide closely spaced meeting edges; and Y 'Y Figure 24V is a similar cross sectional View of 25 j the conveyor bucket structure shown in either Figures 20'or 21.

General construction and arrangement The invention generally comprises a pair of opposed channel guide members arranged about a circuitous course to provide vertical and horizontal runways and the Vchannel guides are adapted to be supported by the frame VWork or beams of a building or may be supported on a suitable frame in a convenient location and posie tion. fy .Y I

Y kThe invention also provides a conveyor bucket structure to be guidedby the opposed channelVV guide members throughout the various runs of the conveyor course andsaid conveyorsbuckets Y are ofthe pivoted type'and haveformed on the end walls thereof tripping and guide flanges uniquely arranged to Venable the Vbuckets to be Y tripped and guided duringany part of their cirvcutoustravel as desired. In'one form of bucket construction, the endl and `bottom walls are separably held together and the end Walls are molded with the trippingV and guideA flanges thereon to facilitate the dumping andguiding of the buckets asvthey pass theloading 'and dumping stations. In another form of the invention, the buckets are constructed of a single molding `or castingY c having the flanges at the ends for guidingV and modified form of the invention showing another Vingfin detail the shapeY and formation of the buckets;

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary cross Asectional view showing the manner in which the lbuckets in Figures 17 and 18 are precision Yground ture.

Ytripping the buckets formed thereon at the time bucket struc-f of molding or casting the entire Further, the invention includes a conveyor structure in which the buckets are tiltedv and Iguided as they traverse Vone of the guide Ypulleys so that the materialj beingy conveyed will be scooped into the bucket during'rit's tilted guided position whereupon the buckets after being lfilled may be conveyed along Aa conveyor course to an unloading station whereV they are againgtilted and guided for substantially thefull length of travel above Vthe discharge hopper. This construction has the advantage of insuring the complete removal-of,a11 of the material from the Yinterior of the'bucket and at the same timedistributing the material over a relativelyY large hopper Yarea to prevent overflow ofthe Yhopper and the resultant loss ofY considerable'material.

In the various forms of bucket constructions,V the 'L meetingedges may be provi/dedrrwith overlapping lalternately* arranged sealing strips, por the ad-.fi'

jacent edges of the buckets may be precision ground to provide matingedges which are :precision ground so that the edges will be closely spaced to prevent the material falling therethrough during the passage beneath the loading station. If desired, the buckets may be provided with interchangeable tripping arms to facilitate dumping thereof at various locations along the vertical and. horizontal conveyor courses as well as obliquely extending courses by simply substituting the tripping arm to suit the specific conditions existing. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the bucket construction is of a knocked down form to enable the parts to be interchanged when broken or ldamaged and replaced by new parts without requiring the conveyor being rendered useless during such repairs for great lengths of time.

Detailed description of the invention In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustrating the invention and wherein like reference characters will be employed to designate like parts throughout the same, attention is first 4 directed to the preferred form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 12 inclusive wherein the preferred bucket construction is shown as being applied to a runaround conveyor in which the channel guides are suitably supported from the walls or other structural elements of a building B. In Figure 1, the conveyor structure is supported by the walls W and floor supporting surfaces generally designated by the reference characters F and L.

Although the buckets are of a similar form and construction in Figures 1 to 16 inclusive, the various applications of the buckets in Figures l to 16 inclusive are shown as being used in connection with differently constructed and types of conveyors and the form shown in Figures 1 to 12 is exemplary of one type of pivoted bucket of the knocked down or separably connected form. In Figures 1 to 12 inclusive, a series of brackets lil is conveniently positioned and supported by the walls W and floors F and L and said brackets are of general rectangular form and include side rails il and end rails I2. Connected to the side rails I2 is a supporting arm i3 having one end secured to a bracket i4 on the wall or iloor of a building by means of bolts l5. Bolted to the bracket i4 is a pair oi attaching blocks i6 held in Yplace by a bolt I'i on the end of Which is threaded a nut as at i8. The rod i3 extends through aligned openings in the blocks i8 and is held therein by clamping nuts 2i] and 2l on either side thereof. The opposite end of the rod i3 is similarly secured to a pair of blocks 22 by passing through an opening 23 so as to be held in position by clamping nuts 24 on opposite sides of the block 22. A bolt 25 is secured within an anchoring member 26 having a cavity for receiving the head 26a of the bolt 25 and said bolt extends through a boss 2l in the anchored member 26 and through an opening in the block 22 whereby the free end may be provided with a nut 28 for securely clamping the various parts together.

The channel guide members for the conveyor structure include angle bars 25 having their flanges overlapped as is clearly shown in Figure and said angle bars are clamped to the rectangular supporting frame by bolts 3f! having hooked ends 3l which engage over the free edges thereof so that a nut 33 may be threaded on the clamping bolt 35 to tie the angle bars in position and at the Asame time secure'the anchoring block 2B to the end .portion I2 -of ythe .rectangular frame I0.

Certain of the channel .guides 29 kmay be 'bent as at 34, 35 and 35 to provide corner bends interconnecting the vertical and horizontal guideways and an interconnecting oblique or angularly disposed guidewayl. One portion -of the lconveyor guide may vbe separate from the other rportion to enable the slack to be `taken out Aof the conveyor chain and its associated part and vsaid section 29 may be supported at the top and bottom by suitable brackets 32 as well as the supporting brackets l0. This construction leaves a space so that the buckets of the conveyor may sag on their return course and, providing the :sag is not too great, the conveyor Will operate efficiently throughout the remaining conveyor run. I-Iowever, when the sag reaches a `point to `impair eicient operation the sag may be-taken out of the return .course by an adjustable sprocket .or the like.

The conveyor element is formed of aseries of buckets generally designated vby the reference character 4U and as shown in Figures 1 to 121the buckets of the preferred formare .shaped with slightly rounded bottom walls and each bucket is connected to a conveyor chain .generally designated by the reference character 4 l. Each of :the buckets is provided With an Yend wall `42 whichis semi-circular in shape and is adapted .to be arranged in opposed relation/at eachside of the conveyor. The end walls may be molded in identical form so as Vto be readily interchangeable and replaceable when desired. Formed on the inner Wall of each end plate 42 is .an inwardly extending marginal flange 43 extending about the arcuate curved portion thereof and spaced from the ange 43 is asimilar .flange 44 fto provide a'recess of arcuate formation 45 adapted to receive the opposed edges ofthe curved bottom wall 46. The bottom wall 46 may be formed of flexible material or la suitable stamping shaped to conform to the contour of the arcuate slot 45 and if desired, the bottom wall may be made of a plastic material shaped or formed to fit the conditions Aunder which the conveyor is used.

Formedon the end walls 42 is van enlarged hub portion or boss 41 which is :in alignment with the axis of the bucket to form adequate bearingrsurface therefor. A transverse bore 48 is formed in each of the enlarged hub'portions or1bosses 47 Vfor the reception of a tie rod 49 the ends of which are suitably threadedfor receivingclarnping nuts 50 whereby the end walls may be tightly drawn together into lengagement with the side edges of the curved bottom Wall 45. Formed integral with the outer Wall of the end members 42 is a wing portion or flange 5l extending radially from the hub portion4'l to .provide a reenforcing web for the end wall of the bucket and to provide a tripping and guiding flange therefor as the bucket traverses a dumping station. Likewise, formed along the top-edge of each of the end walls 42 is a guide rib 53 the ends of which are slightly bent downwardly to facilitate the easy entrance beneath a guide bar or roller during itravel through the loading area of the conveyor structure. The guide rib 53 also reenforces the end wall structure 42 in a direction at right yangles to the tripping flange or web 5l. The hub portions 41 of each end Wall are yprovided with `aligned openings 54 for receiving a transversely extending supporting rod 55 and mounted on Ythe supporting frod between the end walls `is atubu1arspacer'56 fhavi'ngits ends abutting and retaining interchange- Y able tripping arms 51 VWithinY the Y'recesses ori depressions 53 formed on the inner walls of the buckets. With the aidof the clamping rodd, the tripping arms 51 are securely held in recesses 53 which are shaped to receive'the inner ends of the tripping arms so that rocking movement of the Vtripping arms will effect similar movement to the bucket structure lill. Normally, the buckets ill will assume 2, horizontal position by reason of the fact that the center ofV gravity is below the supporting rod 55. The trippingrarms 51 may have their free ends Yextending atright angles as at t!) or if desired, they may be positioned as shown in Figure 1 at 6| so as to provide oppositely extending arms to facilitate dumping of the buckets during their travel in either direction.

space betweenthe conveyor rollers lit-fandV 61 of each ybucket assembly. The Vshaft 84 is provided with a pulley over which is trained a belt or theV material dispensed to the bucket.' Supportedon the channelguideway 29 arersuitable brackets 9d For some conveyor structures it may be desirable to form the arms 51 obliquely as at 62 in Figure 4'whereby the buckets maybe tilted or dumped while traversing an inclined conveyor course' 31 (Figure 1). The tripping arms may be easily interchanged by simply removing the nuts 5t and sliding the rod 55 endwise of the bucket construction.

The free ends of the supporting rod 55 are provided with rollers 53 which are positioned between a series of outer chain linksl 54 and inner chain links 65. The rollers 53V are guided in the 0pposed channelways 0r guides formed by the angle bars 29 and alternate links 5d and 65 are provided with connecting chains |56 for supporting intermediate guide rollers 61 which are likewise received in the channelways or guides formed by the angle bars. A washer or Vthe like as at 38 may be positioned between the inner chain links 55 and the integral hub portion 41 to prevent inward movement ofthe links. The free ends of each oi the supportingV bars are ilattened as at 'ill to provide a squared portion terminating in a shoulder The outer links are provided in their ends with squared openings 'l2 for receiving the squared ends of the Vbar as at to assist in spacing the links and providing ample room for the rollers 53.

A cotter key or the like as at may bepas'sed through an opening rollers and buckets equidistantly spaced on the rod 55. Similarly, the pins $5 for the alternate ends of the links are squared or flattened as at 'id for receiving slotted openings similar tothe openings 12 and a cotter pin or key 13 is likewise inserted through a transverse opening to anchor the links and rollers in position. Y

In order to hold the' buckets Acentrally positioned with respect to the channel guides, a slide shoe 'i6 has its ends 11 of the rod 55 and alternate pins 65 Ybetween the linksiii so that the intermediate portion of the slide shoe 16 will engage the bottom wall of the channel guide members and prevent endwise movement of the buckets during their conveyor travel.

It is to be noted that the transverse edges of the flexible members 45 are angularly bent to form lip portions 85 for receiving a sealing strip 9| held in place by rivets or the Ylike 82 secured to alternate anguarly bent lips 88 whereby the sealing strips will overlie adjacent lips 80 but yet be free to turn during tilting or dumping'in either direction. In Figure'l, a pair of sprockets S3 are mounted on and adjacent/'the end of adrive shaft 8d for drivingly engaging 'theV conveyor chain to impart motionYV thereto. The'sprocket teeth are formed Yrelatively largeV secured to the -free endsk to enter the having bearing portions 9 for receiving relatively short spindles S'Zupon which are: mounted guide rollers or the like as at 93 for engaging the ilanges 53 of each bucket. `A guide bar maybe similarly positioned in lie-u of the rollers to guide the buckets in a horizontal plane during their travel beneath the loading station. The brackets V9|) are held in place by bolts 94 extending through cer-Y tain iianges of the angle bars 29.

. hopper 95 having V96 by means of tripping arms 51.Y Directly above After the loaded buckets havefmoved to the upper horizontal conveyor run by movingfin the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 1,'they may be dumped at an unloading station into a a relatively wide mouth portion the hopper t5 and supported between the channel guide ways 29 is atripper rod 96 having itsfree ends rotatably supported in bearing brackets 91 fastened in place by machine screws or the like as at 9S. Retaining collars 99 are secured to the 1| as is clearly shown in Fign'e'l.

15a to retain the chain link-s,

ends of the rod 96 in spaced relation thereon soY as to be positioned ony opposite sides of the brackets ment of the trip rod .96; As theV free ends 600i the trip arms 51 engage the rod 96 the buckets are tilted androcked so that the contents'will 'Y fall into the hopper 95.' Should it be desired to dump the buckets` at vanother unloading station, it is simply necessary to remove'the rod 96 so that theimaterial will becarried to anotherVV dumping station having a hopper |00 `withafun nel shaped throat |0| so that the buckets may be tilted above said throat.

provide a different form of tripping means or unloading station or hopper |00 and to accom-V plish this, bracket members |02 have their bases |03 secured to the underside of the channel guide ways 29 as indicatedin Figure 3 by bolts 104.' A shaft or spindle 55 is rotatably supported in the bracket |62 and is provided atl one Vend'w'ith a retaining collar 'it and at the opposite gend' to a roller |91 having arelatively large hub portion |95. The end of the spindle |05 is provided with a head |09 to prevent displacement of the roller |51 and it iste benoted vthat a pair of such rollers 51 are ipositioned directly above the une loading station or hopperll) so as to impart a complete rotation to each bucket'ras itltraverses the throat lil.V Byv reference to Figure 2 itwill be seen that the tripp'ng wing 5| is first engaged by the roller |91 and upon continued travel of the conveyor *the next roller |91 engages the roller guide 53 whereupon the bucket will be turned" gaged will impart an initialrocking movement to Y eachbucket li!) and thecontinued'gtravelof theV bucket conveyor will position the guide 53's'o that 91 and thereby prevent endwise'move--` It may bedesirable to Y message the front edge isin engagement with the second roller |01.

Should itbe desired to unload in an inclined position of the channel guideways 29, a hopper is provided beneath the angularly disposed runways 31 as shown in Figure 1 and in this case, a tripping rod 96 will be positioned between the channel ways of the angular run 31 and tripping arms 51 having the angularly disposed free end 62 will be supplied to the ends of the buckets in lieu of the tripping arms 51 having the ends 66 formed at right angles to the tripping arms. The hoppers 95, |00 and H0 are provided with outlets H2, H3 and H4 respectively, for discharging of material into a chute, vehicle or bin, or other chamber.

The oppositely disposed channel forming angle bars 29 may be welded at spaced intervals as indicated at H5 or other means for fastening the channel way angle irons may be provided to suit the requirements of the particular construction.

Obviously, bars of channel formation may be substituted for the channel way forming angle bars 29 but it has been found in practice that by employing angle bars various forms and shapes may be imparted thereto without considerable expense.

In Figures 11 and 12 a loading hopper ||6 is substituted for the hopper 81 and isprovided with bottom wall I |1 having an opening disposed above the conveyor buckets. 40.. Angle brackets H8 are connected to the hopper wall H6 between which is pivotally mounted a scraper or spreader bar H9 of V-shaped formation having bracket portions |20 attached thereto as at |2| for being received between the brackets H8 soV that bolts or the like as at |22 may pivot the spreader bar H9 for free vertical movement above the buckets and thereby cause the material dispensed from the hopper H6 to be spread endwise of the buckets during their travel beneath the loading station.

Modicatz'on of the invention shown in Figures 13 to 16 inclusive In this form of the invention, the bucket construction is similar to the construction shown in Figures'l to 12 with the exception that the buckets are differently spaced and are more or less of triangular contour to provide relatively straight side walls and thereby enable the material to be freed therefrom in an easy manner. The conveyor structure is shown as being applied to a portable frame of triangular shape generally designated by the reference character |25 and comprises a pair of side bars |26 having caster supporting brackets |21 at the ends thereof for accommodating casters |28 having rollers |29. One end of the bars |26 is provided with vertical angle bars |30 fastened in place as at |3| by a bracket |32. A diagonal frame bar |33 has one end connected by bolts or the like as at |34 to the side rails |25 while the opposite end is supported by a bracket |35 attached to the upper end of the vertical bar |30. A pair ofV angle bars |36 are connected as at |38 and |39 to the diagonal bar |35 and vertical bar |30 for supporting a platform |49 for accommodating a motor |4| secured in place by bolting the base thereof as at |42 in position by bolts |43. The frame structure above described is adapted to support a Z-type conveyor structure including opposed channel guides |44 constructed identical to the guides 29 and said channel guides are supported by suitable brackets |46 having their bases |41 secured to convenient portions of the frame and diagonal bar |43` by bolts or the like |48. A pair of blocks |51| are pivoted to the brackets |46 by means of suita-A ble pins |50 and supporting rods |53 are carried by the blocks |5| and are held in place by clamping butts |54. Similarly, supporting blocks |55 are mounted on the free ends of the rod |53 and are clamped in place by nuts |56 threaded on the ends thereof. A transverse rod |51 has its end threaded as at |58 for being attached to the blocks |55 by means of boltsr |59. Channel supporting brackets |60 are mounted on the rod |51 and are provided with enlarged bosses |6|, to form hub portions therefor. A spacer rod is located between opposed` pairs of brackets |60 as shown in Figure 14 to retain the brackets in spaced relation. Each of the brackets |60 is provided with a pair of spaced arms |62 and |63 for receiving the channelways or guides |44 and set screws or the like |64 are provided for anchoring the channelways in position.

The endless bucket conveyor structure comprises a pair of endless chains generally designated by the reference character |65 and` said chain traverses a sprocket |60` mounted on a shaft |66 supported on theupper end of a bracket |61 attached to the frame by means of bolts or the like |68. chain traverses a similar sprocket |14 mounted on a shaft |15 journaled in an adjustable block |16 suitably mounted for sliding motion within an opening |11. The block |16 is provided with a screw yshaft |18 which projects through a lug |19 struck out of the side frame |264 so that it may be adjusted by the nut |80. An unloading hopper |10 is supported by brackets |1| attached as at one end as at |13 to the diagonal bar |33 and secured by rivets |12 to, the hopper |16. The hopper is positioned to receive material from the buckets |44 as they are; dumped during their passage about the sprocket wheel |69. Each o f the conveyor chains |65 is provided with a series of spaced rollers 8| which are guided in the channelways |44 and mounted between the rollers and connected to the chains is a series of conveyor buckets |82 formed from a single sheet of material bent V-shaped to provide converging walls |82a. End walls |83 are constructed similar to the end walls 42 shown in Figures 1 to 1 2 inclusive and said end walls are provided with guide ribs |84 and trippingribs |85 for being engaged by the various instrumentalities for tripping and guiding the buckets during their passage or travel through the loading and dumping stations. The buckets are supported by rods |85 which extend through the rollers |8| and have keys Yor the like secured in openings inthe free ends of the rods |81 similar to the rods 5.5.. The free ends of the rods extend through the chain links and |92 between which the rollers |8| are mounted and suitably held in position. A tie rod |94 extends through the ends of the conveyor bucket Walls |83 to anchor the same in clamping engagement similar to the tie rods 49. Spacing sleeves |95 are mounted on supporting rods |81 to hold the end walls |83 in spaced relation and if desired for clamping tripping arms in place similar to the tripping arms 51.

The conveyor chains are driven by the motor |4| and a belt or the like |98 ist trained over a pulley on the armature shaft of the motor |91 for drivingly connecting a similar pulley on the shaft |66. Also mounted on the shaft |56 adjacent each end is a pair of collars |99 for engaging the ilanges |85 to cause the buckets to tilt and trip during their passage over the sprockets so that The other end of each conveyor.

thematerial theremwni rau interne hopper no. Theguide |39 may be in theform of a, Cylinder in lieuofthe collar Vtorengage the walls ofthe buckets and during the traveluoi thev buckets about the shaft |63 they arejcompletely rotated about 3760 degrees to insure the unloading thereof.

A supply. hopper 244 ispsupported by vertical Y bars20`| fastened in place asat 232 and 283 Vso that the discharge mouthV of the hopper 2|l4 will bepositioned above thebuckets as they travel therebeneath in the direction ofthe arrow.` A sluice gate 2725 is provided Vfor controlling the discharge of the material through the opening 224. Mounted on the top runway of the channel bars H4 *is arbar l2052 securedin place by bolts 2U? andsaid bar 296' may have iianges for engaging theV guide iianges |34 on the buckets or as shown, maybe provided with a series of stub shafts 2|l8 for supporting a series of rollerswZil adapted` to engage the guide flanges |84 and maintain the buckets in a horizontal position during their travel beneath the hopper 2GB.

Mounted beneath the loading-hopper'Zi is a collection drawer 2li] in an opening 2|| formed in the side rails |23 and extending valong the opening and transversely'of the rails |26 isa pair of guide bars H2 for supporting the drawer 2| and thereby facilitating easy removal when the same is lled. A handleY 2|3 is provided on the drawer 2||l for this purpose.

- Additional brackets 2|4 may be provided along the side bars |26 and held in place by rivets or the like 2I75 for supporting various portions of the channel guideways |44.V

M odificatzon shown in Figures 17, 18, 19, 22 and 23 The conveyor structure including the frame work and method of loading and unloading is slightly different from the forms shown in Figures 1 and 13 and therconveyor buckets are formed of a single stamping or casting rather than from separable parts or elements as shown in `Figures 1 to 16 inclusive. `In this form of the invention, the conveyor structure embodies a base 260 having upright supports 22| connected by a pair of side frame members 223 extendingY between the upper ends thereof. Projecting upwardly from the side frame members 223 is a pair of parallel frame bars 224 the upper ends of which are attached to one of the girdersY or beams of a building structure designated by the reference character 225. Connected tothe vertical uprights 224 and extending laterally therefrom is a pair of horizontal supporting beams 223, which have their free ends similarly attached to girders or supports 221 extending through the building or plant in which the conveyor is used.

Supported by the vertical frame members 224 and horizontal frame members 22E is a pair of opposed vc hannel guide members 228 and 229 which are constructed from angle'bars similar to the channel guides 29 and |44, and one end` of each pair of channel guides 228 and 229 is con` nected to the horizontal frame bar 223 by welding or the like. The opposite ends terminate adjacent the free ends of the horizontal supporting bars 226. The channel guide members 223 and 223 are suitably supported by brackets 233 similar to the brackets lil and |6|3 shown in Figures'l to 16 and 'Ergo fastened in place by suitable bolts or rivets Mounted between the horizontal frame bars 223 is a shaft 232 having its ends journaled in suitable bearings and adjacent each end of the shaft 232 are sprocket wheels 233 in alignment With'the y opposed channelguideways 228 and` 22|. vvSiniiplarly, a sprocket wheelris carried at each end of a shaft Y234gjournaled inradjustable blocks 235 reciprocably Ymounted -between the nanges ofthe horizontalsupporting beams 226. Y' A screw Yshaft Y,

236 is threaded in arlug 231 carried by Ythefree end -of each horizontal supporting bar 226 and each of the'screwrshafts 236 have theirinner ends connected to the slide blocks 235 to facilitate adjustment of the shaft 234. Adjacent each end of the shaft 234 is a sprocket Wheel 238 similar in construction to sprocket wheel 233 and trained over said sprocket lwheel is a pair of spaced conveyor chains 239 likewise formed sirni-V lar to the sprocket chains shown in Figures 1 to 16 inclusive. Each of the sprocket chains comprises inner and outer links 240 and 24| connected by Y link pins 24'2 asis clearly shown in Figure 18.

Rollers `243 are mounted between alternate sets of chain links 24|) and 24|v which are guided in channel ways 228 and 229. Y The alternate links 24|) and 24| are connected by horizontal bars 243 and are provided with rollersY 244 on ends thereof for being guided in channelways 228 and 229 and thereby supporting the horizontal rod .243. upon which the pivoted conveyor buckets are carried which are generally designated by the reference character 245, yclearly shownrin Figure 18.

VThe' V-shaped buckets 245 shown in Figures 1'7, 18, 19, 22 and 23 are formed of a single stamping `or moldedmember to provide sloping bucket walls 246 connected at the ends by end walls 241. The buckets may be formed from plastic material or metal by pressing, shaping or forming in suitable molds in much the same manner as the end walls of the conveyor bucketp'shownV in Y Figures 1 to 16 inclusive. The upper edges of the convergent side walls Y246 extend a slight distance above the pivoted axis thereof and are ground at the mating edges as at 241 to provide closely spaced' mating surfaces 248. The surfaces may be precisionV ground in order to insure'proper alignment and registry ofthe bucket edges during their continuous-*conveyor travel and pro-V pulsion by the conveyor'chains'239.

Y The upper edges of the conveyorbuckets are provided with enlarged bossesv249 having apern' tures` 25|] Afor receiving the supporting rods'24'3 and inthis construction/the spacer sleeves and rodsV arey eliminated and support is had solely through the side walls 241. lThe opening 25|) is slightly below the upper edge 248 of the convergent side walls 246 so that the arc ofswing of Y the edges 248 will be slightly above a line on a Vplane with the rods 243.1 This construction allows the buckets to tilt and be dumped and enables the edge of one bucket as at 248 to follow the ground portion 241 during its tilting movement and thereby prevent displacement of material therebetween. Y

Recesses 25| are formed on the inner sides ofV theV end walls 241 for .receiving interchangeable tripping arms such asthe tripping arms51 shown in Figures 1 to 12 inclusive. Obviously, the tripping arms may be of various shapes as disclosed in connection with these figures.` Formed on the outer side of the end walls 241 are radially eX,- tendinganges 252 adapted to guide the buckets during their travel adacent the filling station and to trip and guide said buckets as'they traverse VtheV unloading station'.V i

Attention is again directed to Figure 17 wherein there is Vshown a hoppery 253 supported between the horizontal side frame members 223 `and said hopper is positioned in close proximity to the sprockets 233 and is provided with an arcuately curved bottom wall portion 254 extending therebeneath. Side walls 255 extend along the radial faces `of the sprockets 233 to complete the structure and provide a chamber into which the buckets 245 may dip as they traverse the sprocket 233 to pick up material and convey the same to a dumping hopper thereabove. As the pivoted buckets 245 travel downward and as they reach the lowermost portion of the opposed guides 229 they are tilted by means of the tripping flange 252 engaging an arcuately curved tripping bar 256 projecting inwardly from the side walls 255 of the hopper. In order to prevent the buckets from being completely rotated when trippedl by the arcuately curved bar 255, the sprocket shaft 232 is provided adjacent its ends with inwardly spaced discs or collars 251 which are adapted to cooperate with the arcuately curved guide bars 258 and form a tripping guide slot therebetween. This construction enables the bucket to be tilted and retained in a tilted position during partial travel about the sprockets 233 so that material in the hopper 253 will be scooped therefrom and carried upwardly in the conveyor bucket.

Asl the loaded conveyor buckets reach the end of their upward travel they are again tilted by tripping anges 258 and 259 formed on the horizontal portion of the opposed channel guides 228. As the buckets are tripped as shown in Figure 1'1, above the receiving hopper 268, the lower edge is'presented to the material collected in the hopper so that continued travel of the bucket in its tripped position will spread the material in the hopper 260 from the entrance end to the opposite end. The hopper 260 is supported by certain of said channel guide supporting brackets 23B and a discharge orifice 262 is formed in the hopper to dispense the materials collected therein. During the initial tilting movement, by the engagement of the tripping flange 252 with the guide ange 259 complete turning movement of the bucket will be prevented by the upper guide 258 and it is intended that the tripping flange 252 of each bucket pass therebetween so that when the bucket encounters a load in the hopper complete revolution thereof` will be prevented by the tripping ilange 262 engaging the horizontal guide ange 258.

A motor supporting platform 263 may be connected to one of the sets of channelway brackets 238 and may bel braced by a brace bar 254 riveted or otherwise secured in place. The motor 255 is supported on the platform 263 and is bolted thereto as at 256 beneath the sprocket shaft 23d.

The armature shaft of the motor is provided with a pulley 251 over which is trained a belt or the like 258 for being drivingly connected to a similar pulley 259 on the outer end of. the sprocket shaft 234.

In Figures 2O and 24 there is shown a bucket similar to the pivoted bucket 245 in which the entire structure is molded or formed from plastic or metal material and said bucket includes end walls 21) having curved bottom walls 21| similar to the buckets 48 shown in Figures 1 to l2 inclusive. The buckets in Figures, 20 and 24 have their upper edges ground as -at 212 to provide meeting edges which are closely spaced when the buckets are assembled in a conveyor structure. the outer wall 218 and is apertured as at 214 for receiving horizontal supporting bars similar An enlarged boss 213v is formed onr to they supporting bars 243. Recesses 215 are formed on the inner walls for the reception of tripping arms similar to the tripping arms 51 and when said tripping arms are used the spacer sleeves. may be employed on the bars 24.3. In the construction shown in Figures 2O and 24 a radially extending tripping rib 216 is formed on the outer radial face of the wall 218 in substantially the same manner as the tripping ribs 252. It is to be noted that the extreme upper edges of the arcuately curved bucket wall 21| as at 2'11 extend above the axis of the opening 214 to increase the length of arc of said edge 211 and insure the buckets' being closely spaced to prevent loss of material therebetween.

The conveyor bucket shown in Figure 2l is identical in formation to the bucket shown in Figures 20 and 2e and includes side walls 215 and a curved wall 21| as well as an enlarged boss 213 apertured as at 214 to receive the supporting rods 243. In addition to the radially extending tripping rib or web 216, the upper edgesv of the bucket` side walls 218 are provided with oppositely extending guide ribs 218 similar to the guide ribs 53 and |84 shown in Figures 1 to 16 inclusive. Reenforcing web portions 219 are formed adjacent the ends of the guide ribs 218 and connect the same with the side walls 210 to brace the flange 213 and prevent breakage thereof. This form oi bucket may be used in a conveyor structure in lieu of the bucket 4B shown in Figures 1 to 12 inclusive while the bucket illustrated in Figures 19, 22 and 23 may be used or substituted for the buckets |82 shown in Figures 13 to 16 inclusive, and when so used the rollers or other guide members may engage the upper edges of' the buckets during their travel beneath a loading station to hold the buckets in a horizontal position.

Similarly, the buckets 245 may be interchanged in the various structures shown in Figures 1, 13 and 1'1 by interchanging the parts such as the tripping arms and various other elements.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1'1 to 24 inclusive, it may be desirable in certain conveyor structures handling finely divided material, to arrange the conveyor buckets closely together so that the ground edges will snugly fit adjacent bucket edges to thereby prevent material from passing between the bucketsV during loading thereof. When the buckets are so positioned a guide bar extending along the loaded course of the conveyor may cooperate with the top edges or flanges of the buckets to maintain the same horizontal and at Y the tripping or unloading station the guide bar will be interrupted to facilitate dumping of the buckets. by the tripping flanges or interchangeable tripping arms depending upon the specic type of conveyor.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred embodiments of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. A conveyor structure comprising a pair of opposed channel guideways forming a circuitous conveyor pathway, endless conveyor chains in said guideways formed of a series of pivotally connected link members, pivoted conveyor buckets extending between and supported by said conveyor chains with their pivotal axes coincident with the pivotaly axis of certain of said link members, a loading station and an unloading station arranged in spaced-apart relation along said guideways, bucket guiding and tilting members arranged adjacent said loading and unloading stations, and radially-extending projections arranged on the end walls' of said buckets and cooperable and engageable with said bucket guiding and tilting members for guiding and tilting the buckets as they move through the loading and unloading stations.

2. A conveyor structure comprising a pair of opposed channel guideways, endless conveyor chains in said guideways Vformed of a series of pivotally connected link members, conveyor buckets extending between and pivotally supported by said conveyor chains with their pivotal axes coincident with the pivotal axes of certain of said link members, a loading station and an unloading station arranged in spaced apart relation along said guideways; guidestrips arranged adjacent said loading station, radially extending projections emanating from a point adjacent the pivotal axes of said conveyor buckets and formed on the end walls of said buckets, said projection-s being engageable with said guide strips for guiding and positioning the buckets to receive material as they move through, the loading station, and a guide member arranged adjacent said unloading station engageable with said radially extending projections for tripping the ,buckets as they traverse the unloading station.

3. A conveyor structure,.comprising a pair of opposed channel guideways, conveyor sprockets at each end of the conveyor structure, endless conveyor chains in said guideways formed of a series of pivotally connected link members and trained over saidY sprockets, pivotedV conveyor buckets extending between conveyor chains with their'pivotal axis coincident with the pivotal axes of certain of said link members, a loading station, an unloading station, arcuately curved guide strips arranged adjacent the loading station and extending about one of said sprockets, radially extending ribs arranged on the end walls of said buckets emanating from a point adjacent the pivotal axes of said buckets and cooperable with said guide strips for guiding and tilting the conveyor buckets as they move through the loading station and traverse said one conveyor sprocket, and a guide member arranged adjacent the unloading station engageable with said radially extending ribs for tripping said buckets and maintaining said buck.. ets in a tilted position as they pass the unloading station.

4. A conveyor structure comprising a pair of opposed channel guideways, conveyor sprockets at each end of said conveyor structure, endless conveyor chains in said guideways formed of a series of pivotally connected link members trained over said sprocketsconveyor buckets extending between and pivotally supported by said conveyor chains with their Ypivotal axes coinci-` dent with the pivotal axis of certain of said link` members, a loading station adjacent Yone of the sprockets, guide members adjacent and extending about the loading station sprocket, an unloading station adjacent the other sprocket, and

radially extending projections arranged on thev end walls of said buckets for guiding and positioning the conveyor buckets as theyV traverse the sprocket at theloading station to receive material as they move through the loading station, said projections comprising radially extendand supported by said Y ing ribs formed onthe end walls of and emanating from a point adjacent the pivotal Vaxes of the buckets to engagesaid guide members extending about one of Vthe sprockets adjacent the loading station.

5. A conveyor structure comprising a pair of link members, loading and unloading stations along said conveyor pathway, radially extending projections on the Vend walls of said buckets for guiding and positioning thesame to receive material as .they move through the loading station,

and for tripping the buckets as they traverse the unloading station, said guiding and tripping projections comprising integrally connected ribs formed on the end walls of they bucket and eX- tending radially from a point adjacent the pivotal axis of said buckets, and guide ,members adjacentV the loading and unloading stations en V gageable by Vsaid radiallyv extending projections, whereby said conveyor buckets vwill be maintained in filling and dumping positionsv during the major portion of their travel in the loading and unloading stations respectively.

6. A conveyorY structure, comprising a pair of opposed channel guideways arranged in spaced relation to provide a conveyor pathway, loading and unloading stations along said conveyor pathway, endless conveyor chains guided in said channel guideways formed of a series of pivotally connected link members,` trough-shaped conveyor buckets pivotally supported between said conveyor chains with their pivotal axes coincident with thepivotal axes of certain of said link members, guide members at thcsides of said conveyor pathway between the buckets and guideways, and integraliy connected ribs formed on the end walls of the buckets engageable with said guide members for tilting said buckets as they traverse spaced loading and unloading stations, Ywhereby the buckets will be angled to scoop mamembers, trough-shaped conveyor buckets piv- A otally supported between said chains with 'their pivotal axes coincident to the pivotal axis of certain of said link members, integrally lconnected ribs extending radially from the pivotal axis of said buckets and formed on the end walls thereof, loading and unloading stations arranged along said conveyor pathway, guide bars arranged adjacent said loading and unloading stations 'and engageable with said ribs for tilting said buckets Y as they traverse said loading and unloading stations, whereby the buckets will be angled to scoop material from thev loading station and tiltedto discharge the material as they traverse the unloading station, said radially extending ribs cooperating with said guide bars which are arranged to extend the full length of the unloading station to cause said buckets to engage and 'spread 17 the material thereover after said buckets have been discharged.

8. A conveyor structure, comprising a pair of opposed channel guideways in spaced relation to provide a conveyor pathway, endless conveyor chains in said channel guideways formed of a series of pivotally connected link members, trough-shaped conveyor' buckets pivotally supported between said chains with their pivotal axes coincident with the pivotal axis of certain of said link members,v integrally connected ribs formed on the end walls of the buckets and arranged to extend radially from the pivotal axis of said buckets, loading and unloading stations arranged in spaced relation along said conveyor pathway, and guide members arranged adjacent said loading and unloading stations and engageable with said ribs for positioning said buckets as they traverse said loading and unloading stations, whereby the buckets will be correctly positioned to receive the material from the loading station and tilted to discharge the material as they traverse the unloading station, said buckets being closely spaced and provided with ground meeting edges to prevent the escape of material therebetween during passage through the loading station.

9. A conveyor structure comprising a pair of spaced opposed channel guideways defining a oircuitous conveyor course and pathway, loading and unloading stations at each end of said conveyor pathway, an endless conveyor chain in each o said channel guides formed of a series of pivotally connected link members, troughshaped pivoted conveyor buckets extending between and supported by said conveyor chains with their pivotal axis coincident with the pivotal axis of certain of said link members and within the conines of said channel guideway and a hopper located adjacent one end of the conveyor structure in the path of said buckets, guide projections on the end walls of said buckets extending radially from the pivotal axis thereof, a guide member at one end of the conveyor structure adjacent the loading station, cooperable with the radial guide projections on the ends of the buckets to tilt the same as the buckets traverse said hopper, and a bucket tripping member adjacent said unloading station cooperable with said radial guide projections to tilt the buckets as they pass said unloading station to thereby maintain the buckets in a tilted position during their travel over said unloading station and to spread material over the entire area of the unloading station.

HENRY W. HAPMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 402,160 Hogeland Apr. 30, 1889 503,870 McCaslin Aug. 22, 1893 660,451 McCaslin Oct. 23, 1900 669,571 Berghoefer Mar. 12, 1901 677,157 Hosher June 25, 1901 779,758 Becchi Jan. 10, 1905 943,121 Merian Dec. 14, 1909 968,795 Peck Aug. 30, 1910 1,090,156 Kendall Mar. 17, 1914 1,445,277 Hansen Feb. 13, 1923 1,710,385 Streich et al Apr. 23, 1929 2,104,431 Marasso Jan. 4, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 606,648 Germany Dec. 7, 1934 

